A spinal injury is a life-changing event that’s difficult to cope with whatever your age. But despite the fact that approximately half the people who have a spinal injury are under the age of thirty, spinal injury care solutions are far more likely to cater for older people than the young.
Younger people with spinal injuries face different challenges to the elderly. They might not have family members who have the time or resources to help them. They may have a young family of their own and need support in order to care for them. They might have a lot of their life left to live and find it difficult to come to terms with their new circumstances.
Many young people with a spinal injury are discharged from hospital into a residential or nursing home for elderly people because they aren’t aware of other options. Many of these facilities don’t have staff with specific training in spinal injuries. Some stay in these facilities for many years.
At Eximius we provide specialist live-in care services for people with spinal injuries. We have staff members who are trained and experienced carers in this field. We are proud members of the Spinal Injury Association and strive to ensure the care our clients receive meets their specific needs, whatever their age.
If you or a family member has a spinal injury, here’s what you need to know about live-in care.
Why is live-in care for young people with spinal injury so effective?
For young people who have a spinal injury, coming home from hospital is a huge step. This can be much more challenging if there are children or pets at home, a partner who works full-time – or no partner at all.
Some homes need significant modifications to facilitate someone with a spinal injury. Plus, many people with spinal injuries need support for self-care, therapy, and ordinary day to day tasks such as taking care of their home, cooking, and driving.
The biggest advantage of live-in care over residential care is the fact that it is one to one and can therefore be geared to meet the needs of the individual. Our carers are trained and experienced in caring for people with spinal injury. They liaise with their client’s medical support team and make sure they get the support they need to take their medication and do their therapy.
As well as taking care of their medical and personal needs, our carers also support their clients to live full lives, to pursue their hobbies and interests and to spend time with family and friends.
Plus our clients have the comfort of being in their own home, surrounded by their own things, in an environment they are comfortable with.
Live-in spinal care also eases the burden on family members who have the peace of mind to know their loved ones are safe and well cared for.
What do spinal injury carers do?
Everyone who has a spinal injury has a unique set of problems that need monitoring or that they need support with. These may include issues with:
- Blood pressure
- Bowel and bladder management
- Respiration
- Skin problems such as pressure sores
- Mental health
- Loss of limb function
Live-in carers can help with a huge range of tasks including providing support for all care needs, supervising physical therapy, helping with personal care, monitoring and managing medication, cleaning the home, cooking, shopping and arranging social activities, accompanying their clients to appointments, and taking them on holidays or day trips.
Every client has a bespoke care plan that our carers support.
What should you look for in a live-in care company?
If you’re considering live-in care, it’s important to choose a company that can meet the needs of the individual. Training in spinal injuries, their complications, and how to manage the condition is vital.
Also, it’s essential to find a company that takes care to match the right carer with your loved one. You need someone whose personality, skills, and interests are aligned with the person that they support.
Here at Eximius, we can match our professional companions to each client’s personality and needs. What’s more, we understand the importance of continuity in care and endeavour to match our clients with one carer so they can form a close bond, rather than having to get used to multiple people.
If you or a loved one would like to understand more about live-in care services, please get in contact, we’d love to help.